The Women Who Inspired Me To Follow My Dreams

Being a small business owner and a woman is a time-consuming, limits-pushing, mentally complex undertaking. It’s also one of the best decisions I ever made.

Each day offers a new challenge (or opportunity!) to tap into my creativity, expand my craft, meet new people, and grow. When I first decided to shift from a career in social work and take up jewelry making full time, I had my concerns...

I knew that stepping away from a steady income was a gamble.

I knew that putting myself out there, creatively, could be a wildly vulnerable, and potentially thankless, pursuit. What if people just didn’t get what I was trying to do?

I knew that a new home, in a new state, more than halfway across the country would mean more than just adjusting to an arid climate.

And even “knowing” all this, I couldn’t shake the undeniable knowing I felt in my gut. “Take the leap”, it said. More than 7 years later, I’m so thankful I did.

I was reflecting on my journey the other day and couldn’t help but think about a few of the inspiring women who, in being fully and unapologetically themselves, gave me the silent permission I needed to pursue my own passion. I could make a book from all of the pages I’ve taken from them! For now, I’m sharing with you 5 of the women who have made an impact on me, personally and professionally.

Louise Hay

*When I originally wrote this article, Louise Hay was still with us. In the time since, she has passed on. As I spent time reflecting on her life and considering how I wanted to convey her inspiring influence to you all, I was reminded yet again of the global impact she made on the lives of so many.

For those who don't know, Louise was the founder of one of the world’s most dynamic publishing houses, Hay House, and a self-help pioneer since the 1970s. Her tireless efforts propelled - and have sustained - a universal dialogue about New Thought for millions of people worldwide. Her unique background as a child of abuse, a young mother, and a cervical cancer survivor compelled her to do the deep work early in her life. By confronting her demons and healing her wounds - through self-reflection and self-love - she was able to pivot her life’s trajectory. For me, her wise instruction about releasing negative beliefs and introducing self-acceptance into my own life experience was instrumental as I was learning how to believe in my own creativity and artistic talent as an aspiring business owner. And though she is no longer with us, her legacy lives on through her profound, applicable, and effective life lessons.

Jessica Alba

Known widely for her work as a Hollywood actress, did you know that Jessica Alba is also a hugely successful businesswoman? Since 2012, she has been the founder and visionary behind The Honest Company. As a mother of 2, The Honest Company is Jessica’s responsible rebuttal to what she considered a harmful industry standard being set for baby products in the market. As a result of her efforts she’s created not only a safe, “clean” line of products, she’s also contributed to an important conversation about ethical consumerism. It took her nearly 3 years to align with the right people to bring her vision to life and after lobbying the US Congress and launching her business with 17 products - despite being advised to “start small“ -The Honest Company continues to realize tremendous success. A woman who has turned her passion into a respected, mission-driven business that helps moms, kids, and the environment? I’m in full support!

Arianna Huffington

As co-founder and former Editor-in-Chief of The Huffington Post (now HuffPost) Arianna has been dogged in her pursuit of honest, transparent journalism. Throughout her tenure, The Huffington Post secured numerous journalism awards including the Pulitzer Prize! Her newest venture, Thrive Global, aims to eliminate the stress and “burnout” many of us experience by offering followers a sense of community, valuable resources, products, and services. And, each of these does its part to enhance human beings’ well-being. Her mission? Help people not simply survive, but thrive! Yes, please!

Hayley Barna & Katia Beauchamp

These days it seems like testing makeup, hair, and skin products is synonymous with Birchbox. The dynamic duo behind the brand is responsible for the circulation of an unprecedented amount of beauty products that might otherwise have never gotten the same exposure. Talk about good distribution! Hayley and Katia started the company in 2010 and have since revolutionized the way people experience beauty products via their ingenious right-to-your-doorstep model. There’s just something so pleasing about opening your door to a curated box of goodies, isn’t there? By now, subscription boxes like Birchbox, Graze, and Blue Apron have gained substantial popularity but that wasn’t always the case. Hayley and Katia were quick to capitalize on the trend and I completely admire them for it! Not to mention, I can personally vouch for the brand. I love testing beauty supplies and theirs are always well considered, just for me.

Whether you support women-owned and/or operated businesses, are giving some thought to starting a brand, or are proudly running your own company, there’s nothing more inspiring than an empowered woman. So from this empowered woman, to each and every one of you, thank you for your support. Let’s keep raising each other up!